The Lunch Date

A Screenplay by Adam Davidson

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FADE IN:

INT. GRAND CENTRAL STATION -- DAY

A middle-aged “Waspish” WOMAN walks across the station.

Her appearance is refined but subdued—a dark winter coat
with a mink stole, a lace-collared blouse.

She carries several shopping bags from Bloomingdales and

others.

The woman stops to check the schedule board on the wall.

She rustles through her pocketbook and removes her ticket.

The woman hurries by a Homeless Man begging in the station.

In her rush she collides with a BLACK MAN. An explosion of

pill bottles, lipstick, and knicknacks from her purse
sprinkles the floor.

WOMAN
Oh, oh my lord!

She kneels down to collect her stuff.

The Black Man kneels beside her. His appearance is

professional but rough enough for New York commuting—a silk
tie and mirrored sunglasses.

BLACK MAN
I’m sorry. Let me get you that.

He begins picking up the loose items.

WOMAN
No, don’t, you’re making me miss my
train.

The Woman grabs her stuff and runs towards the platforms.

CUT TO:

INT. GRAND CENTRAL TRAIN PLATFORM—DAY

A train rolls down the tracks as the woman arrives. She is

left alone on the platform.

Out of breath and slightly disheveled, the Woman reaches

for her bags.
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Her wallet is gone. She collects her bags and walks back
toward the station.

INT. GRAND CENTRAL STATION—DAY

The Woman returns to the station floor where she looks up

to the schedule board as the times change. Light tears
appear in her eyes, which she quickly dries with a white
handkerchief. She stares ahead, lost in thought.

A black MUMBLING MAN walks by playing a harmonica. He

stares into an imaginary audience. He is homeless. He
rambles as he passes the woman.

MUMBLING MAN
Lord have mercy! Ha! Ha! Ha! He
know it, he know it! How you
doing!? You know who it is this
morning! I know who you are… Hot
dog! You know who you are! Happy
New year’s. God bless ya!

The Woman walks away.

CUT TO:

INT. LUNCHEONETTE—DAY

The Woman walks into a station luncheonette. It is a

simple place—a grill, some booths, and rows of refrigerated
cabinets filled with salads and sandwiches. She reaches
into a glass case and removes a salad.

A COOK stands behind a white linoleum counter. He fiddles

with his white paper hat and white apron.

WOMAN
How much is this salad?

COOK
Two dollars.

She puts the salad on the counter. She rustles through her
pocketbook.

WOMAN
Well, I’m not sure that I have that
much.

The Woman empties a dollar and some change on the counter.

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WOMAN
One dollar…here’s some.

The Cook fingers through the change.

COOK
A dollar-fifty…two dollars.
Here ya go, lady.

She grabs the salad plate and her bundles.

WOMAN
Napkin.

The Cook hands her a napkin. She walks toward the booths.

INT. LUNCHEONETTE BOOTH—DAY

The Woman walks down the aisle looking for a suitable

booth. She places her salad plate down and pushes her bags
into a booth.

She sits but does not settle. She stands, carrying only
her napkin.

INT. LUNCHEONETTE—DAY

The Woman walks to the front of the luncheonette. She

reaches into a steel bin and takes a fork. She examines
the fork, wiping it with a napkin.

Fork in hand she searches for her booth and suddenly stops
in her tracks.

CUT TO:

A HOMELESS BLACK MAN sits opposite the Woman eating a

salad. He is dressed in a thick wool coat and a flannel
shirt. On his head, a winter hat still has the tag
attached. He looks up to her.

The Woman sits across from him in the booth.

WOMAN
That’s my salad.

HOMELESS BLACK MAN

Get out of here.
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WOMAN
That’s my salad.

She reaches for the plate. He pulls it back.

HOMELESS BLACK MAN

Hey!

The Woman watches him chomping away at the bits of lettuce.

He ignores her.

Moments pass.

She reaches over with her fork and swipes a piece of food
off the plate. The Woman quickly chews while keeping her
composure. He goes on eating.

She takes another bit. Then another. And another.

The Man does not respond. Suddenly he stands and walks

down the aisle. She continues munching away at what
remains.

He returns with two cups of coffee with saucers. He places

the cups on the table and sits.

He offers her sugar.

WOMAN
No, thank you.

He offers her a packet of Sweet & Low from his coat. She
accepts.

WOMAN
Thank you.

Checking her watch she stands with her purse and leaves.
He watches her exit, somewhat disappointed.

CUT TO:

INT. GRAND CENTRAL—DAY

The Woman walks quickly through the station and then stops.
She left her bags in the luncheonette! She runs back toward
the luncheonette.

CUT TO:
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INT. LUNCHEONETTE BOOTH—DAY

She arrives at the booth and the bags are gone. Only two
empty cups of coffee and a plate remain. She begins to
pace the floor nervously.

She paces back and forth. In the next booth we see her
shopping bags and her salad uneaten. The Woman discovers
her bags and the salad. She sits down and laughs to
herself. Realizing the time, she grabs her bags and runs
out of the luncheonette laughing.

CUT TO:

INT. GRAND CENTRAL—AFTERNOON

The Woman runs quickly through the crowds to her platform.

She passes a BEGGAR on crutches.

BEGGAR
Spare some change. Please, please
ma’am. I’m starving.

She ignores him and continues through the crowd.

INT. GRAND CENTRAL—AFTERNOON

The Woman runs down the platform to the train.

INT. TRAIN--AFTERNOON

The train rolls down the tracks into darkness.

FADE OUT